Billet turning wrench

ABSTRACT

Apparatus for rotating billets, blooms and the like to present successive faces for inspection and/or treatment comprises an elongated handle having a load engaging jaw pivotally connected at one end thereof with means to permit limited rotation of said jaw and return of said jaw to a retracted position.

United States Patent 1191 Gelles et al.

BILLET TURNING WRENCH Inventors: Nicholas Gelles, Conemaugh; Paul J.

Shiley, Johnstown, both of Pa.; Michael D. Casella, Cleveland, Ohio Assignees: Bethlehem Steel Corporation; Rose Iron Works, Inc., both of Bethlehem, Pa.

Filed: Nov. 29, 1971 Appl. No.: 204,779

us. a. 294/17 Int. Cl. 365g 7/08 Field 01 Search. 294/15, 17, 19 R; 37/2; 81/99,

References Ci ted UNITED STATES PATENTS 3/1898 Ellis 294/17 Jan. 29, 1974 Murphy 81/99 Smith 294/17 Misiura 294/ 17 Pearson 254/131 Primary Examiner-Evon C. Blunk Assistant Examiner-Johnny D. Cherry Attorney, Agent, or Firm.loseph J. OKeefe ABSTRACT Apparatus for rotating billets, blooms and the like to present successive faces for inspection and/or treatment comprises an elongated handle having a load engaging jaw pivotally connected at one end thereof with means to permit limited rotation of said jaw and return of said jaw to a retracted position.

6 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures BILLET TURNING WRENCH BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates generally to handling tools and more particularly to an improved tool designed to eliminate hazards to the operator when used to rotate heavy rectangular sections of steel such as billets and blooms.

A billet turning wrench is used widely in operations where billets, blooms or other substantially rectangular shaped workpieces of considerable weight are rotated on their supports to present a different face for inspection and/or processing, as, e.g., scarfing. The operator causes the wrench to engage the workpiece and either pushes or pulls its handle in the desired direction. When the billet reaches the over-balancing point there is a tendency for the continuing rotation of the billet to whip or jar the handle of a conventional turning wrench, thus endangering the operator with serious injury or at the very least probable loss of control of the billet.

Prior art attempts at solving this problem have been made and quick release type cant hooks, beam dogs, lifting tongs and turning wrenches are known. However, there is no tool to our knowledge that will allow the operator, in complete safety to himself and others, to rotate a heavy rectangular shape without losing control of the tool and consequently the workpiece and simultaneously provide means to ready the tool for immediate reuse.

It is an object of this invention, therefore, to provide a tool which will safely rotate billets, blooms or the like.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a tool for rotating billets, blooms and the like which will quickly release the workpiece and be ready for immediate reuse.

It is a still further object of the invention to provide a tool for rotating billets, blooms and the like wherein a work-engaging jaw is pivotally attached to a handle and is adapted to automatically rotate back to a retracted position upon release from the workpiece.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The instant invention accomplishes these objects by providing a tool comprising an elongated handle with a work engaging jaw pivotally attached to one end thereof. A tension spring is secured to one end of the jaw and anchored to the handle to bias the jaw to a retracted position upon release from the workpiece.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of the apparatus according to the invention shown applied to a workpiece;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the apparatus of FIG. 1 showing it in operation turning the workpiece; and

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the operating mechanism of the apparatus.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to the FIGURES, and more particularly to FIG. 1, the preferred embodiment of the instant invention is seen applied to a workpiece or billet W in readiness for rotating the billet 90 to present a new face for inspection and/or processing thereof. The apparatus or tool for handling billets, blooms and the like is seen to comprise generally an elongated handle 11, a bifurcated section 12 attached as by welding to one end of handle 11 and a work-engaging jaw 13 pivotally attached to said bifurcated section 12. A solid taperd wedge point 14 is mounted on the end of the handle opposite the work-engaging jaw 13 for use as a prying bar.

The term billet or workpiece W should be construed to mean any elongated member having a cross-section which generally conforms to the shape of the work engaging jaw 13.

The handle 11 comprises an upper steel pipe section 15 attached as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 to a lower steel pipe section 16. The sections 15 and 16 are preferably tubular to reduce the weight of the tool. It is obvious, however, that other materials an shapes may be equally applicable within the scope and spirit of this invention. The bottom end 17 of the lower steel pipe section 16 is shaped to be inserted into opening 18 in bifurcated section 12 where it is attached by welding.

The enlarged fragmentary view of the lower portion of the tool 10 shown in FIG. 3 will now be described in detail. The U-shaped work or load-engaging jaw 13 comprises a first upstanding leg 19, a second upstanding leg 20 and connecting member 21. The U-shaped jaw 13 shown herein is integrally constructed. The jaw 13 is pivotally attached to the bifurcated section 12 by hinge pin 22 near the intersection of the first upstanding leg 19 and connecting member 21 to permit rotation of the jaw 13 in a manner that will become apparent. The second upstanding leg 20 of the jaw 13 may be pointed as at 23 to provide a guide for the jaw when inserted between adjacent billets or blooms. Pin 24 is provided in the upper portion of the first upstanding leg 19 for attachment of one end of tension spring 25. The other end of spring 25 is anchored to the elongated handle 11 intermediate the ends thereof by any convenient means, as, e.g., attachment to pin 26, FIGS. 1 and 2. A guide pin 27 is mounted in the lower tubular pipe section 16 or in the upper portion of bifurcated section 12 as desired to guide the tension spring 25 for reasons that will become apparent. Stop means 28 is mounted on the handle 11 intermediate the ends thereof on the plate 29 which forms a closure for the back portion of bifurcated section 12. The back portion is that part of the section 12 which is on the side of the handle away from the open mounted jaw 13. The stop means 28 is for the purpose of contacting an outer surface 31 of upstanding leg 19 of U-shaped jaw 13 to limit the rotation of the jaw 13 about hinge pin 22. The spring 25 yieldably secures the outer surface 31 of leg 19 of U-shaped jaw 13 against stop 28 so that leg 19 is in substantially parallel alignment with elongated handle 11 when in the retracted position against the stop 28.

In operation: When it is desired to turn a billet resting on skids to inspect and/or perform an operation on another face the U-shaped jaw 13 of the billet turning tool 10 is applied to the lowermost face of the billet W with the elongated handle extending vertically. When the U-shaped jaw fully engages the billet the handle of the tool is pushed or pulled to exert a clamping pressure between the upstanding leg 20 and the bifurcated section 12 of the handle 11 and the billet W. This action will take up any slack or play between the jaw 13 and the billet W which may be slightly smaller than the jaw opening. Continued pushing or pulling of the handle 1 1 will rotate the billet in the direction shown by the arrow 35, FIG. 2. As the billet is rotated beyond the overbalancing point, the billet will continue to rotate by its own weight, i.e., without any further pushing or pulling of the handle. The pivotal attachment of jaw 13 to the lower end portion of the handle at hinge pin 22 allows the billet to freely rotate without exerting undue pressure against the handle portion and the operator, thus eliminating the hazards of possible injury to him and loss of control of the tool and the billet. The tool is quickly and easily withdrawn from the rotated billet whereupon the spring 25 having sufficient tension therein rotates the jaw 13 back to its retracted position against the stop block 28 ready for immediate application to the same or additional billets.

It has been found in practice that the safest operation of the tool is with the operator facing the upwardly extending handle with the billet between him and the handle, pulling the tool toward him. It is clear that the turning tool may be applied to the lowermost face of the billet with the handle extending horizontally and jaw 13 extending upward whereupon the operator by lifting the handle will cause rotation of the billet. Furthermore, the tool can be applied in a manner wherein the operator is on the same side of the billet as the handle and turning is accomplished by pushing. However, these last two described methods are looked upon with disfavor because of the obvious strain on the operators back in the case of lifting and the possibility of loss of balance in the pushing operation.

The unique design of the billet turning wrench herein described eliminates the hazards attendant with other known conventional rigid type turning wrenches and furthermore provides a quick release time-saving device.

We claim:

1. A tool for turning a billet comprising:

a. an elongated handle,

b. a substantially U-shaped jaw, having first and second upstanding legs joined together by a connecting member, for engaging said billet, said legs being substantially parallel to each other and to said elongated handle when in a retracted position,

c. hinge means to rotatably connect said first upstanding leg to one end of said handle proximate the intersection of said first upstanding leg and said connecting member,

d. stop means mounted on said handle intermediate the ends thereof to contact an outer surface of said first leg of said U-shaped jaw and limit rotation of said jaw about said hinge means, and

2. spring means to yieldably secure said first leg of said U-shaped jaw against said stop means with the open end of said U-shaped jaw toward the other end of said handle.

2. A tool for turning a billet according to claim 1 wherein the spring means described in subparagraph (e) is a tension spring having one end thereof anchored to said handle and the other end attached to said first leg.

3. A tool for turning a billet according to claim 2 further including:

f. guide means for said spring mounted on said handle between sai stop means and said anchored end of said spring.

4. A tool for turning a billet comprising:

a. a hollow enlongated handle having a bifurcated end portion,

b. a generally U-shaped jaw for engaging said billet having first and second upstanding legs joined together by a connecting member, the first leg positioned within said bifurcated portion and the second leg spaced therefrom by said connecting member, said upstanding legs being substantially parallel to each other and to said elongated handle when in a retracted position,

0. hinge means to rotatably connect said first upstanding leg to said bifurcated portion of said handle proximate the intersection of said first leg and said connecting member,

d. stop means mounted on said handle intermediate the ends thereof to contact an outer surface of said first upstanding leg to limit rotation of said jaw about said hinge means, and

2. spring means to yieldably secure said first upstanding leg of said U-shaped jaw against said stop means with the open end of said U-shaped jaw toward the other end of said handle.

5. A tool for turning a billet according to claim 4 wherein the spring means described in subparagraph (e) is a tension spring having one end thereof anchored in said hollow elongated handle and the other end attached to said first upstanding leg.

6. A tool for turning a billet according to claim 5 further including f. guide means for said spring means mounted on said handle between said stop means and said anchored end of said spring.

' UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3v788a69O Dated January 0 197A I nvent fl Nicholas Gelles. et a1.

It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Under Assignees] "Bethlehem Steel Corporation; Rose Iron Works, Inc. both of Bethlehem, Pa." should read Bethlehem Steel Corporation of Bethlehem, Pa. (1/2) and Rose Iron Works, Inc. of Cleveland, Ohio (1/2).

Col. 2, line 16, "an" should read and Col. LI, line 14+, claim 3, "sai" should read said Signed and sealed this 5rd day of September 197% (SEAL) Attest: McCOY M. GIBSON,.JR. c. MARSHALL DANN Attesting Officer Commissioner of Patents FORM PO-105O (10-69) uscoMM-Dc 60876-P69 U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE "l! O-36i'334, 

1. A tool for turning a billet comprising: a. an elongated handle, b. a substantially U-shaped jaw, having first and second upstanding legs joined together by a connecting member, for engaging said billet, said legs being substantially parallel to each other and to said elongated handle when in a retracted position, c. hinge means to rotatably connect said first upstanding leg to one end of said handle proximate the intersection of said first upstanding leg and said connecting member, d. stop means mounted on said handle intermediate the ends thereof to contact an outer surface of said first leg of said U-shaped jaw and limit rotation of said jaw about said hinge means, and e. spring means to yieldably secure said first leg of said Ushaped jaw against said stop means with the open end of said Ushaped jaw toward the other end of said handle.
 2. A tool for turning a billet according to claim 1 wherein the spring means described in subparagraph (e) is a tension spring having one end thereof anchored to said handle and the other end attached to said first leg.
 3. A tool for turning a billet according to claim 2 further including: f. guide means for said spring mounted on said handle between sai stop means and said anchored end of said spring.
 4. A tool for turning a billet comprising: a. a hollow enlongated handle having a bifurcated end portion, b. a generally U-shaped jaw for engaging said billet having first and second upstanding legs joined together by a connecting member, the first leg positioned within said bifurcated portion and the second leg spaced therefrom by said connecting member, said upstanding legs being substantially parallel to each other and to said elongated handle when in a retracted position, c. hinge means to rotatably connect said first upstanding leg to said bifurcated portion of said handle proximate the intersection of said first leg and said connecting member, d. stop means mounted on said handle intermediate the ends thereof to contact an outer surface of said first upstanding leg to limit rotation of said jaw about said hinge means, and e. spring means to yieldably secure said first upstanding leg of said U-shaped jaw against said stop means with the open end of said U-shaped jaw toward the other end of said handle.
 5. A tool for turning a billet according to claim 4 wherein the spring means described in subparagraph (e) is a tension spring having one end thereof anchored in said hollow elongated handle and the other eNd attached to said first upstanding leg.
 6. A tool for turning a billet according to claim 5 further including f. guide means for said spring means mounted on said handle between said stop means and said anchored end of said spring. 